Contact: Mitch Demick (708) 222-4542

Hawthorne’s Night of Champions preview

Stickney, IL – The eliminations and previews are complete and on Saturday, August 4, Hawthorne Race Course will present a Night of Champions for Illinois Standardbreds, nine stake races in all worth nearly $600,000.

The 14-race program kicks off with The $46,000 Fox Valley Evita for three-year-old filly trotters and concludes with the $71,500 Fox Valley Dynamic for two-year-old pacing colts. In between, six other Illinois-bred stakes will crown divisional Hawthorne champions, including the prestigious $92,000 Robert F. Carey Jr. Memorial Open Pace.

Here’s a brief look at the nine stake races, and their respective fields.

The Fox Valley Evita – Three-Year-Old Trotting Fillies – Purse $46,000

Mogo On The Gogogo and J.C. Josie have exchanged blows in many of their past battles. Both figure to be favored in this spot, with Victor’s Phantom and Dream of Victoria possible upsetters.

		2007 Year to Date
PP	Horse	Sts	W	P	S	Time	Earnings	Driver	Odds	Med
1	DREAM OF VICTORIA	5	0	0	0	Q2:01.3M	0	Todd E Warren	8-1
2	VAPOR RISES	12	2	2	3	2:05.3H	$18,366	Brandon M Simpson	5-1
3	VICTOR'S PHANTOM	11	1	1	1	1:58.3M	17,834	Brent Holland	4-1	L
4	J C JOSIE	9	3	2	1	1:57.2M	41,237	Homer J Hochstetler	5-2
5	FOX VALLEY DEJA	7	0	0	2	-	1,927	Ryan J Anderson	30-1	L
6	STAR SWAGGER	13	2	1	1	1:59.1M	13,993	Dale P Hiteman	12-1
7	FILLY HOTSPUR	14	1	4	3	1:58.2M	21,666	Delbert Lee Chupp	6-1
8	MOGO ON THE GOGOGO	9	3	2	2	1:57.4M	40,417	David R Magee	7-2

The Star Slinger – Two-Year-Old Trotting Fillies – Purse $57,500

So Sexy and Chugwater Gal are the key players in this event. So Sexy won both her eliminations, exhibiting courage and class in the process, while Chugwater Gal made a break in leg one, but rebounded to gamely take a division of leg two. Both figure slightly better than International Red, Judy Luns and Lil Bit Tough, all three of whom should contend.

		2007 Year to Date
PP	Horse	Sts	W	P	S	Time	Earnings	Driver	Odds	Med
1	SO SEXY	2	2	0	0	2:01.0M	$10,000	Ryan J Anderson	2-1
2	RAINBOW VICTORIA	4	0	1	1	-	1,847	John D Finn	15-1
3	FOX VALLEY TINA	5	0	2	1	-	5,498	Mark S Saporito	10-1
4	CARDINAL SPEEDY	3	0	0	0	-	500	Homer J Hochstetler	20-1
5	CHUGWATER GAL	2	1	0	1	2:01.4M	6,200	Michael J Oosting	7-2
6	FOX VALLEY SHANNON	3	0	1	2	-	1,925	Robert Spencer Taylor	20-1
7	INTERNATIONAL RED	2	0	1	1	Q2:03.0F	3,700	John Duke Sugg	8-1
8	JUDY LUNS	2	1	0	0	2:02.3M	5,000	Brent Holland	8-1
9	LIL BIT TUFF	3	1	2	0	2:02.2M	7,500	David R Magee	9-2
10	KANLIN GOLD	6	1	1	1	2:08.1M	3,202	Dale P Hiteman	12-1
AE	MIS VAPOR TRAIL	3	0	0	0	-	500	Homer J Hochstetler
AE	FOX VALLEY CHIKA D	4	0	0	0	-	0	Brandon M Simpson

The Plesac – Two Year Old Trotting Colts – Purse $58,000

Maxter and Hall of Fame driver Dave Magee have teamed up to take both legs of the Plesac eliminations. His first win resulted in a track record and if the youngster can stay flat, he will take some catching. Kan Jamicamecrazy has been close to Maxter in both starts and also must behave if he is to be a factor. Look for a much improved effort from Spirit Warrior.

		2007 Year to Date
PP	Horse	Sts	W	P	S	Time	Earnings	Driver	Odds	Med
1	MYSTICAL ACCOUNT	5	4	0	1	2:07.4H	$9,276	Dirk Simpson	9-2
2	KAN JAMAICAMECRAZY	6	0	1	2	-	2,854	Brent Holland	7-2
3	BIG GUN	5	2	0	0	2:02.3M	1,112	John D Finn	20-1
4	MOOD MAN	2	0	1	0	-	3,000	Dean T Magee	8-1
5	MAXTER	4	2	0	0	1:59.3M	10,485	David R Magee	9-5
6	VALLEY SPEED	5	1	1	0	2:08.3M	5,850	Henry Allen Lunsford	10-1
7	FOX VALLEY SUMMIT	2	0	0	0	-	0	Dale P Hiteman	20-1
8	TROPICANA RON	3	0	0	0	-	468	Tim A Tetrick	30-1
9	SPIRIT WARRIOR	4	2	0	1	2:01.0M	6,332	Ryan J Anderson	8-1
10	RTPRIMETIME	3	0	0	0	-	500	Michael J Oosting	12-1
AE	LUCKY LITTLE CHIP	3	0	0	1	-	1,211	Ryan J Anderson

The Gumcorner Lad – Three Year Old Trotting Colts and Geldings – Purse $51,500

The Roger Welch-trained entry of Spunky Vic and Fox Valley Isbi may be slight post time favorites based on post position draw and consistency. Fox Valley Isbi dead-heated with No Jokin’ in their last encounter, but a tough draw may compromise No Jokin’s best chances for the win. Look for Thundercrack and L.F. Topaz to figure in the outcome.

		2007 Year to Date
PP	Horse	Sts	W	P	S	Time	Earnings	Driver	Odds	Med
1	HARMONY OAKS RANDY	9	0	1	2	-	4,492	Charles Jason Dillander	20-1
2	POURMEATEQULASHELA	11	0	2	3	-	9,122	Michael J Oosting	8-1
3	L F TOPAZ	17	3	1	3	1:58.2M	19,024	Steven J Searle	9-2
4	SWEET WILLIE	8	2	0	1	1:57.3M	11,440	Dean T Magee	8-1
5	SPUNKY VIC	13	1	4	6	1:57.3M	27,377	Ryan J Anderson	3-1	L
6	LOFTY GAME	16	2	1	0	1:59.0M	8,244	Delbert Lee Chupp	12-1
7	VAPOR MAKER	11	1	0	1	1:58.0M	9,879	Homer J Hochstetler	30-1
8	THUNDERCRACK	2	0	1	0	Q2:01.4M	3,255	Samuel D Widger	6-1
9	NO JOKIN'	12	3	3	3	1:57.4M	20,314	David R Magee	7-2
10	FOX VALLEY ISBI	10	2	1	2	1:57.4M	10,896	Brent Holland	3-1	L

The Master Shawn Final – Three Year Old Pacing Colts and Geldings – Purse $61,500

Wide open race figures to be won by trip sitter. The Ken Rucker-trained Brother Vinny looks to be ready to fire a winning mile, but Fox Valley Curahee, Booze Cruzin, and Saratoga John each should be prominent at some point in the mile. The four earlier divisions of The Master Shawn each produced a different winner.

		2007 Year to Date
PP	Horse	Sts	W	P	S	Time	Earnings	Driver	Odds	Med
1	ONE PARK PLACE	14	0	1	5	-	34,360	Ed F Hensley	6-1	L
2	ESCAPEFROMALCATRAZ	9	1	1	2	1:54.0M	6,708	Ed F Hensley	3-1	L
3	FOX VALLEY CURAHEE	9	4	2	1	1:52.1M	21,041	Ryan J Anderson	5-2	L
4	HEIDI'S DANCER	7	1	2	1	Q1:55.3M	5,470	David R Magee	9-2
5	ALL IS SAIDANDDONE	14	6	2	2	1:53.0M	27,747	Brent Holland	5-2
6	BROTHER VINNY	9	3	2	1	1:52.1M	22,479	Michael J Oosting	3-1	L
7	SARATOGA JOHN	19	5	5	3	1:51.3M	86,323	Brent Holland	6-1	L
8	ARTHUR B SKIPALONG	20	1	2	4	1:57.3M	15,332	Delbert Lee Chupp	20-1
9	BOOZE CRUZIN	9	3	2	0	1:52.1M	45,290	Samuel D Widger	6-1
10	ASCOT BOURBON	6	0	1	1	Q1:58.3M	4,624	Samuel D Widger	20-1
AE	SNEAKY B SKIPALONG	7	2	0	0	1:52.0H	54,156	Dale P Hiteman

The Robert F. Carey Jr. Memorial – Open – Purse $92,000

Life Guard on Duty has been sensational in recent weeks, culminating with a monstrous 1:48.4 mile last Saturday night, however, post position eight will make his task difficult. The nation's leading driver Tim Tetrick is flying here from the Meadowlands to guide Cheyenne Hollywood, while Manhardt, My Boy David and Maywood track record holder Thisbigdogwilfight all have legitimate chances for the largest slice of the pie.

		2007 Year to Date
PP	Horse	Sts	W	P	S	Time	Earnings	Driver	Odds	Med
1	MAKE IT BRIEF	23	4	3	6	1:50.2M	73,740	Dean T Magee	12-1	L
2	TIMESAREACHANGING	10	3	2	2	1:51.1S	76,609	Brent Holland	7-2	L
3	MY BOY DAVID	20	3	5	5	1:49.4M	116,997	Ryan J Anderson	8-1
4	CHEYENNE HOLLYWOOD	20	6	5	2	1:51.0F	186,200	Tim A Tetrick	10-1	L
5	THISBIGDOGWILFIGHT	14	8	1	3	1:49.3M	108,448	David R Magee	9-2	L
6	GOLD DUST BEACH	18	4	5	3	1:49.0F	179,139	Patrick D Berry	5-1	L
7	MANHARDT	18	6	5	0	1:50.3M	99,265	Ed F Hensley	6-1	L
8	LIFE GUARD ON DUTY	21	6	3	3	1:48.4M	77,769	Charles Jason Dillander	3-1	L

The Determination Plus – Three Year Old Pacing Fillies – Purse $59,000

There’s a scheduled full field of 10, but most eyes will be focused on Sportsfancy and Faith Leigh. The two have split decisions in recent weeks, but Sportsfancy looked impressive getting the best of Faith Leigh one week ago. Should one of the two favorites falter, Perdido, a driving winner in last week’s divisional leg, and Fox Valley Sarong, a sharp second to Sportsfancy in her last start, both figure strongly.

		2007 Year to Date
PP	Horse	Sts	W	P	S	Time	Earnings	Driver	Odds	Med
1	COLETTE	12	1	0	2	1:54.0M	22,661	Dale P Hiteman	2-1
2	FOX VALLEY NANNERS	7	1	1	3	1:54.4M	9,298	Brent Holland	8-1	L
3	FOX VALLEY SARONG	8	0	4	0	-	33,254	David R Magee	6-1
4	FAITH LEIGH	15	5	5	2	1:51.1M	98,525	Brent Holland	5-2
5	PERDIDO	10	2	2	6	1:52.2M	30,703	Todd E Warren	9-2
6	LAURA GO LIGHTLY	14	1	1	4	1:55.4M	10,432	Jeffrey W Cullipher	20-1
7	SPORTSFANCY	11	8	2	0	1:51.4M	137,530	Ryan J Anderson	2-1
8	THERE FOR ME	7	2	2	2	1:54.1M	13,284	Tim A Tetrick	15-1
9	PAST THE EVIDENCE	10	4	1	0	1:56.1M	21,282	Dale P Hiteman	30-1
10	PARKING PLACE	11	1	4	2	1:54.1S	15,806	Samuel D Widger	10-1	L

The Broadway Tax – Two Year Old Filly Pacers – Purse $78,500

Big purse and a precocious filly pacer combine in this final. The Richard Schrock-trained She’s So Hot has been nothing short of sensational in ripping through the first two legs of this series. In leg two, She’s So Hot paced the mile in 1:52.4, which knocked a whopping 4/5s of a second off the previous track record. Part Time Lover, Dingy’s Model and Get That Cheese have all performed well, but look like trifecta fillers in this spot.

		2007 Year to Date
PP	Horse	Sts	W	P	S	Time	Earnings	Driver	Odds	Med
1	PARKLANE STARLET	6	1	3	0	1:57.1M	12,050	Dale P Hiteman	6-1
2	SIENNA BLUE	6	0	1	2	-	3782	Ryan J Anderson	12-1
3	ALI CAT	5	1	1	1	1:56.1M	15750	Tim A Tetrick	20-1
4	MS DIEHARD	8	0	3	4	-	5896	Todd E Warren	20-1
5	PART TIME LOVER	2	1	1	0	1:56.0M	7500	Brandon M Simpson	8-1
6	INCREDIBLE KISS	6	1	0	1	1:58.1M	4232	Jeffrey W Cullipher	30-1
7	GET THAT CHEESE	2	0	0	1	Q1:58.3M	1200	David R Magee	8-1
8	SHE'S SO HOT	6	5	1	0	1:52.4M	24175	David R Magee	8-5
9	MISS VIOLET	2	0	1	0	Q2:03.2H	3300	David R Magee	15-1
10	DINGY'S MODEL	5	3	1	0	1:55.3M	10375	Samuel D Widger	7-2
AE	MURVYS LADY	4	0	0	0	Q2:01.1M	1250	Brandon M Simpson
AE	LOVELY HOTSPUR	5	1	0	1	1:58.2M	4432	Samuel D Widger

The Fox Valley Dynamic – Three Year Old Pacing Colts and Geldings – Purse $71,500

We might have saved the most competitive final for the finale. No clear cut favorite in here, as multiple division winners in the previous legs make finding a winner a handicapper’s odyssey. The Rucker entry of Game Time Who and Mucho Sleazy offer two-for-one value, but Too Much Pepper, Omaha Survivor and Determine This should be reckoned with. Also, don’t discount Fox Valley Carmelo or King of Kings, the latter of which has thus far disappointed as a twice heavy favorite with legitimate excuses.

		2007 Year to Date
PP	Horse	Sts	W	P	S	Time	Earnings	Driver	Odds	Med
1	TOO MUCH PEPPER	5	3	0	0	1:55.0M	10,457	David R Magee	3-1
2	FOX VALLEY QUANTUM	5	0	1	2	Q2:00.2M	5,600	Charles Jason Dillander	8-1
3	OMAHA SURVIVOR	3	1	1	0	1:54.2M	6,316	David R Magee	8-1
4	KING OF KINGS	4	1	0	2	1:54.1M	4,422	Brent Holland	7-2
5	WESMOKEMPEACEPIPE	6	2	1	2	2:01.4H	9,033	Brandon M Simpson	8-1
6	GAME TIME WHO	5	0	1	1	-	3,132	Ed F Hensley	9-2
7	MUCHO SLEAZY	4	1	1	1	1:53.3M	8,116	Michael J Oosting	9-2
8	FOX VALLEY CARMELO	6	1	1	0	1:59.0M	5,932	Robert P Smolin	12-1
9	DETERMINE THIS	2	2	0	0	1:54.4M	7,632	Ryan J Anderson	4-1
10	AINT NO HEARSAY	5	1	2	2	1:54.4M	13,050	Ryan J Anderson	15-1
AE	THE VOICE OF TRUTH	3	0	1	0	-	7,300	Todd E Warren		L
AE	CHOROS C	3	1	0	0	2:06.0H	1,410	Ronnie Gillespie

For those fans who purport a casual racing enthusiasm, Hawthorne Race Course will also have on hand reigning Miss Illinois, Ashley Hatfield, plus an evening’s worth of entertainment and giveaways, including the chance to enter to win a two year lease on a Jeep Compass.

The Place Pick Five Challenge will be contested for the final time at the meet with a chance for a single winner to earn $5,000.

*The entries courtesy of The U.S. Trotting Association

Hawthorne Race Course presents live harness beginning on June 22 and concluding on August 5. During this time only Mondays will be a dark day for our live program. As always, Hawthorne will be open for simulcasting 7 days a week. We are located at 3501 S. Laramie Avenue, Cicero, IL, 60804. Call (708) 780-3700 or visit the Web site at www.hawthorneracecourse.com.